“It is very questionable whether the words ‘goods or property’ include the necessary baggage of a traveler, his watch or personal effects, or such money as a man in his travels usually carries with him; in fact, down South it was held that it did not comprehend baggage.”[199]
“Well, what would you call baggage?” persisted my wife. “It would be worth while knowing that, if an innkeeper is always responsible therefor.”
“Just wait until I comfortably settle myself, and I will dilate on that fruitful topic until you are satisfied.”
“What a base slanderer is Jules Verne,” said my spouse, as she daintily nestled between the sheets.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Don’t you remember that he says that American beds rival marble or granite tables for hardness. I am sure he never stopped at a good hotel.”
“Now for a Caudle lecture as to the baggage,” I said. “Imprimis, whatever a traveler on this sublunary planet takes with him for his own personal care and convenience, or even for his instruction and amusement,[200] according to the habits and wants of the station of society to which he belongs, either with reference to the immediate necessities or the ultimate purpose of his wanderings, must be considered personal luggage;[201] and the rules of law governing the innkeeper’s liability for the safety of a guest’s baggage, are the same as those which regulate the responsibility of common carriers as to a passenger’s baggage.[202] Articles of jewelry, such as you would usually wear, are baggage;[203] but not the jewels and regalia of a society.[204] A watch,[205] except in Tennessee;[206] finger-rings,[207] but not silver spoons,[208] come within the same category. One man was allowed to have two gold chains, two gold rings, a locket, and a silver pencil-case.”[209]
“He must have been on his way to see his sweetheart, I fancy.”
“Gold spectacles are baggage;[210] so are opera glasses,[211] a silver-mounted pistol, even for a Southern lady,[212] duelling pistols,[213] or a gun;[214] but not a colt.”[215]
“A horse, then?” was facetiously queried.